I started writing this article on the best eSIM for Spain after a lovely week spent eating tortilla and drinking cava in Barcelona, whilst sitting on the 6.5-hour high-speed TGV from Barcelona Sants to Paris Gare de Lyon.
Writing this article would have been impossible without a decent internet connection, which I certainly was not getting from the TGV. The WiFi on the train was dismal. So I was very thankful to have access to my Saily eSIM throughout the whole journey.
My eSIM had already helped me navigate a week of adventures in Barcelona, Spain. It then helped save me from the hell of public WiFi networks on the train home, which was just the icing on the cake!
In this article, I am going to go into detail about why I recommend using Saily’s eSIM for Spain (or their regional Europe plan if you’ll be country hopping like me), including my experience with reliability, internet speeds, security features and pricing.
How to pick the best eSIM for Spain?
Not all Spanish eSIMs are created equal. Before committing to a provider, there are a few key things I always check before travelling to a new country:
- Reliability: I look for a provider that partners with major local networks like Movistar, Orange and Vodafone, which offer the most extensive 4G and 5G coverage across Spain, from cities to rural areas.
- Flexibility: Plans change when you travel. I want to be able to top up data in seconds through an app, rather than hunting down a SIM card shop in an unfamiliar city.
- Security: Public WiFi in busy tourist spots like Barcelona’s La Rambla can be a real risk, so I prefer my own private connection.
- Top tip: If I ever do use a hotspot, I pair it with NordVPN – you can read my NordVPN review here.
- Price: Data costs add up, especially on longer trips. I look for transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and ideally a regional plan if I am hopping between countries.
For even more locations, check out the best eSIMs here.
Why I recommend Saily Spain eSIM
After testing many eSIMs across dozens of countries, Saily remains the one I keep coming back to, and Spain is no exception.
Saily’s eSIM for Spain offers reliable coverage, affordable prices, great speeds, and additional security features, which set it apart from other eSIM providers. Find out more about the brand in my full Saily review, or read on to find out more about their Spain eSIM.
Pros
- Great coverage across top destinations in Spain
- Reliable access to 4G, LTE, and 5G networks
- Affordable plans with a variety of lengths and data
- Built-in ad blocker that saves data
Cons
- Data-only (no Spanish phone number)
- Coverage may be weaker in very remote areas
Reliable coverage
My first test of the Saily Spain eSIM actually came before I had even properly arrived in Barcelona, on the train down from Paris. Whilst the signal was naturally a little patchy through that stretch of the journey (phone signals are typically always patchy on trains), I was still able to load emails and chip away at some writing. Given that both the train WiFi and my UK provider’s network were essentially useless, it was a genuine lifesaver.
Once I arrived in Barcelona, the experience was a different story entirely. The coverage was seamless throughout the city. I stayed connected on the beach, wandered the narrow alleyways of the Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter) without losing signal, and never once had to hunt for a WiFi network to get something done.
Whilst you are here: discover all my favourite vegan food spots in Barcelona!
The return journey told a similar story. With the TGV’s WiFi letting me down again, I leaned on my Saily eSIM through Spain and into France, and it kept me connected well enough to work comfortably for most of the trip home.
Note: Since I travel a lot, I have been using Saily’s Ultra plan, which covers 121+ destinations worldwide, including the same Spain and European coverage as their standalone plans.
Great speeds
Speed was never a concern in Barcelona. I consistently recorded download speeds of around 205 Mbps, with upload speeds sitting at roughly 20 Mbps, as you can see from my speed test above.
What really put it to the test was when a friend ran out of eSIM data mid-trip. I hotspotted to them for the best part of a day, and despite sharing my connection, I could still navigate the streets, take video calls, and get some work done without any noticeable drop in performance. That is the kind of real-world reliability that matters far more to me than any benchmark figure.
On the train between Paris and Barcelona, speeds were naturally lower, but still comfortably ahead of the onboard WiFi. I could load web pages without frustration, listen to music, and keep on top of messages throughout the journey, which is honestly all you need on a long train ride.
Additional security features
One of the reasons I chose Saily over other providers is the extra layer of security they provide. When I am in a new city, I am constantly clicking on links for local recommendations, digital menus, and booking pages, and I want to know my data is protected throughout.
Their app includes a web protection feature that works quietly in the background, filtering out malicious sites. It also comes with a built-in ad blocker, which I find invaluable on the road. By blocking those heavy, data-hungry adverts from loading, it saved me around 28% of my data across the trip, meaning my plan stretched considerably further.
The feature I got the most unexpected use out of on this trip, though, was the virtual location tool. I was shopping for perfume in Barcelona and wanted to check whether I was actually getting a good deal compared to prices back home. A quick switch to a UK location and I could compare like-for-like in seconds.
These are those small features you do not think about until you need them, and then they suddenly start to feel quite indispensable!
Affordable prices
Saily offers some of the most competitive pricing I have seen for Spain eSIMs, especially when you consider what is bundled in alongside the data.
For most holidaymakers, a capped data plan is more than enough. A week in Barcelona is unlikely to burn through more than 10GB, particularly with Saily’s ad blocker quietly saving you around 28% of your data in the background.
Holafly, one of the other well-known names in travel eSIMs, only offers unlimited plans, which sounds appealing but comes at a noticeably higher price point. For a light or moderate user, you end up paying for data you will never use. Here is how the two compare across common trip lengths:
| Data | Duration | Saily (USD) | Holafly (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $3.99 | N/A (unlimited only) |
| 10GB | 30 days | $15.99 | $74.90 (unlimited) |
| 20GB | 30 days | $22.99 | $74.90 (unlimited) |
| Unlimited | 30 days | $71.99 | $74.90 |
Beyond the price difference, Saily includes web protection, an ad blocker, and a virtual location feature at no extra cost. Holafly is a straightforward data product. For most travellers visiting Spain, Saily is simply better value.
Who should buy Saily’s eSIM for Spain?
I think anyone heading to Spain should pick one up before they travel. Including, but not limited to:
- Solo travellers and backpackers who rely on Google Maps to navigate sprawling cities like Madrid or the winding streets of Seville’s old town.
- Foodies who want to track down the best tapas bar, a hidden pintxos spot in San Sebastián, or a decent flat white in Barcelona.
- Digital nomads who need a reliable internet backup for when the café WiFi inevitably drops out mid video call.
- Families who need to stay connected whilst exploring larger attractions or keeping track of each other across a busy theme park or beach resort.
- Country hoppers who want to upgrade to Saily’s regional Europe plan and stay connected across multiple destinations without swapping SIMs.
How to get started with Saily
Setting up your eSIM for Spain is a straightforward process. I’ve outlined the steps below to help you get connected with Saily before you even touch down in Spain:
- Check your phone compatibility: Most newer iPhones and Android devices support eSIM technology, but it is always worth double-checking your specific model on the Saily website before you buy.
- Pick your plan: Saily offers flexible data options for Spain, ranging from 1 GB for short trips to 20 GB for longer adventures, and even unlimited data options. Browse their Spain eSIM plans here.
- Install your eSIM: Once you have purchased your plan, you will receive clear, step-by-step instructions. Activation is incredibly fast, and I usually get mine set up whilst I am finishing my packing, so it is ready to go.
- Download the Saily app: This is available on both the App Store and Google Play and serves as your hub for managing your connection. You can monitor your usage here and even purchase your initial plan directly through the app if you prefer.
- Top up as needed: If you find yourself using more data than expected or decide to extend your trip, you can easily add more data within the app. The best part is that you don’t need to download a new eSIM; you can simply add more data to your existing one.
My verdict: The best eSIM for Spain
I genuinely believe that Saily is the best eSIM for anyone visiting Spain. After using it across a week in Barcelona, and putting it to work on the TGV (between Barcelona and the border of France) when both the train WiFi and my UK network let me down, it delivered exactly what I needed throughout the trip.
It takes away the stress of hunting down a local SIM card shop on arrival or bracing yourself for eye-watering roaming charges. Having that immediate, reliable connection meant I could focus on exploring the Barri Gòtic, finding the best spots on the beach, and actually enjoying myself rather than worrying about staying connected.
With competitive pricing, useful built-in security features, and the option to upgrade to a regional Europe plan if you are country hopping, it is a clear choice for Spain. It is the eSIM I will be reaching for on my next trip to the continent without a second thought.
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